How do I get rid of a stiff neck?

Question

I've had a stiff neck for over a week now. I slept on one too many pillows one night and a week later it still hurts to turn my head to the left and very uncomfortable to drive with, but do able.

How do I get rid of a stiff neck? Do they normally last this long?

Answer 1

Ice can help reduce pain and swelling.  Heat can help with muscle stiffness.

If it's gone on over a week, how about seeing a doctor?  They can give you some muscle relaxants and pain medication to help you out.  A week seems a long time for this to still be going on to me, but I'm not a doctor.   I hope you make an appointment for yourself just to make sure it's nothing serious.  Hope you feel better soon.

Answer 2

rotate ur head 360* and put a heating pad or ice on ur neck a

week  

Answer 3

did you take aleve or motrin IB type medication? did you try heat?  to relax spasm ice will reduce swelling try both until you find which you prefer did you try stretchin your neck pull your head toward shoulder and altn sides i swear by chiropractics for my stiff neck you could have artheritis herniated disk bulging disk have an mri  have someone pull and stretch your neck laying down on your back traction , i like taking flexeril or soma  

Answer 4

it will be just a strain.. ice or heat packs will reduce your muscle spasm.. compare to heat, using ice will give good results.. use small cervical or butterfly pillow to sleep.. mild stretching also relieve you.... massage gently with pain relieving ointments.. use cervical collar while traveling for some days.. get well soon

Answer 5

Sleeping on too many pillows is not good for your neck and yes it will create neck pain and stiffness. Get one good support pillow for sleeping with an indentation in the middle cervical support. I think you should try heat with *gentle* stretching neck exercises. Click here for good cervical neck  exercises: http://www.arc4life.com/site/615058/page...

As one your answers suggested, it is best to see someone if this does not clear up- That means getting a history, consult and proper exam. Your Dr many even want to send you out for x-rays of the neck to see what is going on .

Ice can actually be of help when you are having acute neck pain- It decreases inflammation and numbs the pain. If you had sprained your neck, I would have suggested that. But because this is going on for over a week, my recommendation is to try heat and perhaps see a chiropractor or osteopath about this pain. Change your pillow too; it will make a big difference in your sleep. Hope this helps you out.